JP2000125119A - Graphic processing method and graphic processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To highly precisely vary printing data without reducing the work efficiency of a user by extracting contour information of graphic data based on a printing attribute added to stored graphic data and executing the variable processing of a graphic based on extracted contour information. SOLUTION: The space data of an objective graphic is temporarily stored in reading/writing storage device (RAM) 32 or an outer storage device 33. Different processings are executed on the type of the graphic, a segment and a circle in accordance with a multiline, an ellipse and a free curve. An offset graphic generated by the processing is stored in the RAM 32 and the outer storage device 33. The offset graphic is that considering the offset direction and the line width of a printing attribute. Thus, the maximum and minimum graphics which are geometrically stored are simply calculated without considering the offset direction and the line width of the printing attribute. Thus, contour information of the graphic is finally extracted by considering the printing attribute of the terminal form of the graphic.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a graphic processing apparatus and method, such as a CAD system, capable of enlarging or reducing a figure or a character string.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an example of an information processing apparatus having an editing function such as enlargement / reduction of a figure or a character string, a print data, in particular, a figure, a character, an illustration, etc. displayed on a product itself, its exterior package, manuals, etc. CAD and DTP (Desk Top P
ublishing).
In the case where print data is created using such a system, conventionally, there has been the following method.

(1) Different from the image when printed
After editing and laying out figures and characters interactively while displaying a rough image on the display device, separately create print data with attributes required for printing and print it with the printing device Method.

(2) While editing and laying out figures and characters interactively while displaying an image similar to the image at the time of printing on the display device, the data displayed on the display device is almost unchanged. How to print on a printing device in the form.

In the method (2), an image displayed on a display device has the same display form as an image printed on a printing device, that is, a so-called WYSIWYG (What Y
ou See Is What You Get).

Conventionally, this method is used to enlarge a precise figure.
In order to reduce the figure, it is necessary to draw a figure to which no print attribute is added, that is, an equivalent outline figure having a line width of 0, and enlarge / reduce the figure with respect to the outline figure.

In the case where print data is created without using an interactive drawing system, the following method has conventionally been used.

(3) Using a markup language such as TeX, create a program in which attributes required for printing, layout information, and the like are described together with graphic and character data, and execute the program in batch processing. By
A method of generating print data and printing it on a printing device.

(4) Using a program dedicated to image processing, a screen image is fetched, or a photographic image is converted into digital information by a scanner or the like, and the image is stored as raster information. In this case, the raster image can be edited in dot units.

[0010]

However, each of the above-mentioned conventional examples has the following problems. In addition, the issues described below are described with numbers corresponding to the numbers assigned to the above-described conventional examples.

(1) Since print attributes are added after a figure is created, the line width, terminal shape, connection shape,
There is a problem that a figure cannot be created and edited in consideration of information such as an offset direction.

(2) Although the operation can be performed while outputting to the screen with almost the same image as that at the time of printing, since the graphic is not enlarged or reduced in consideration of the printing attribute as a graphic editing function, the size of the generated graphic is not increased. However, there is a problem that the size is slightly different from the size intended by the user.

Further, the operation of creating an outline figure requires extra labor from the user, and has a problem that the operation efficiency is reduced. In addition, it is difficult to accurately create an outline of a graphic element such as a free curve or an ellipse, so that there are cases where a graphic intended by a user cannot be created.

[0014] Further, conventionally, when a figure is enlarged / reduced using a geometrical method based on an outline, since the resolution of the output device is not taken into account in the calculation of the contour information, the calculated contour information and the resolution of the output device are not considered. There is also a risk that an error may occur due to the difference between them, making precise enlarged / reduced figure editing impossible.

(3) There is a problem that the user interface is poor and the work efficiency is reduced, since a graphic or a character is not created while actually viewing the output result.

(4) In a program dedicated to image processing, a rasterized image, that is, an image is edited in dot units. Therefore, if a change such as enlargement / reduction is made, the image becomes coarse or accuracy cannot be maintained. There was a problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned various problems of the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to reduce the work efficiency of a user and to obtain high precision print data. Another object of the present invention is to provide a graphic processing apparatus and method capable of changing the size of a graphic.

[0018]

A graphic processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object has, for example, the following arrangement. A storage means for storing graphic data to which a print attribute is added; and contour information extracting means for extracting outline information of the graphic data based on the print attribute added to the graphic data stored in the storage means. A scaling unit that executes scaling processing of the figure based on the outline information extracted by the outline information extracting unit.

A graphic processing method according to another aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object includes, for example, the following steps. A storage step of storing graphic data to which print attributes are added in storage means; and contour information for extracting outline information of the graphic data based on the print attributes added to the graphic data stored in the storage means. An extracting step; and a scaling step of executing scaling processing of the figure based on the contour information extracted in the contour information extracting step.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) [Description of Hardware Configuration] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 21 denotes a central processing unit (CPU), which performs overall control and arithmetic processing of the apparatus. Reference numeral 11 denotes a keyboard for inputting characters and numerical values, and reference numeral 12 denotes a mouse for designating coordinates and figures. A display device 41 displays graphic data, character data, various operation panels and buttons.

Reference numeral 31 denotes a read-only storage device (ROM)
The program according to the present embodiment is stored in the ROM 3
1 and executed by the CPU 21. Reference numeral 32 denotes a read / write storage device (RAM). During execution of the program according to the present embodiment, the CPU 21
Processing is performed while reading and writing data from and to AM32.
An external storage device 33 such as a floppy disk device (FD) or a hard disk device (HD) stores data such as character type information and code information.

The program according to the present embodiment may be stored in the external storage device 33, read into the RAM 32, and then executed by the CPU 21. May be stored in the ROM 31, and the CPU 21 may read and use the data as needed.

Reference numeral 51 denotes a laser printer, which performs proof printing (output for confirming print data) of print data created by the apparatus, and outputs the contents of a print log file. 52 is an image setter,
The print data created by this device is printed out (high-accuracy output that becomes a formal copy). 53 is a laser marker, which prints the print data created by this apparatus,
Bake directly on the product with a laser.

Hereinafter, differences between the laser printer 51, the imagesetter 52, and the laser marker 53 will be described.

First, the laser printer 51 is a printer that irradiates a photosensitive drum with a laser to adsorb toner and transfers the toner to paper, and the resolution can be up to about 1500 DPI. The image setter 52 is a printer that irradiates a laser beam directly to photosensitive paper, and can have a resolution up to about 4000 DPI and a paper size up to about A1. The laser marker 53 is a printing device that directly irradiates a molded product with a laser to melt and blacken a resin material or to develop a color using a special material containing a filler.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a system bus, and all components of the hardware constituting the apparatus exchange programs and data via the system bus 22.

Next, the display function of the display device 41 according to the present embodiment will be described.

The information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment has a so-called WYSIWYG function of controlling the display of graphic data and character data on the display device 41 in the same display form as the output form at the time of printing. FIG. 2 illustrates this.

FIG. 2A is a display example of WYSIWYG. The display form of FIG. 2A is the same as the output form of FIG. 2C which is an example of the output result at the time of printing. I have.
On the other hand, FIG. 2B is an example of a display other than WYSIWYG, and the display form of FIG. 2B is different from the output form of FIG. 2C which is an example of an output result at the time of printing. I have.

Next, an operation screen on the display device 41 according to the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the main panel 61 displayed on the display device 41 when the program according to the present embodiment is executed.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 61 denotes a main panel;
62 is a drawing area, 63 is a mouse pointer, 64 is a character input area, 65 is a button group, 66 is a general-purpose button, 67
Is a command menu, 68 is a guidance area, 71 is a panel other than the main panel, and 72 is a button on the panel 71. The buttons on FIG. 3 are all soft keys.

On the main panel 61, the keyboard 1
By operating the input device 1 and the input device such as the mouse 12, the print data is created and edited interactively. The created print data is displayed in the drawing area 62.

Various panels 71 are displayed in addition to the main panel 61 as necessary.
May perform operations.

Hereinafter, various input methods in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

When inputting from the keyboard 11, the character input area 64 is designated by the mouse 12 or the keyboard 11, and then characters or numerical values are input.

When inputting from the mouse 12, the following method is used.

First, there are the following two methods (1) and (2) for selecting a specific element or button.

(1) Element selection: A mouse pointer 6 is displayed at a position where print data is displayed in the drawing area 62.
3 is moved, and an element to be operated is selected at that position, for example, by pressing down the left mouse button.

(2) Button selection: various buttons 65 and general-purpose buttons 66 displayed on the main panel 61,
Displayed on the panel 71 that is displayed as necessary,
The mouse pointer 63 is moved to the position of the various buttons 72, and the button to be operated is selected at that position, for example, by pressing down the left mouse button.

As a method of specifying a specific position on the drawing area 62, there are the following five methods (3) to (7).

(3) Arbitrary designation: The mouse pointer 63 is moved to an arbitrary position on the drawing area 62, and the position is designated at that position, for example, by pressing down the right mouse button.

(4) Point designation: The position is designated by selecting a point displayed in the drawing area 62.

(5) Feature point designation: By selecting an element other than a point displayed in the drawing area 62, the CPU 21 extracts a feature point of the element and designates a position.

Here, when there are a plurality of feature points, 1
Methods for specifying points include a method in which the CPU 21 automatically extracts a feature point closest to the position of the mouse pointer 63 when an element is selected, a method in which one more point is specified from a plurality of existing feature points, and so on.

FIG. 4 shows an example of feature points of each element of the graphic data. In the figure, points indicated by * are characteristic points. The specific positions of these feature points are as shown below.・ Line segment: Both end points, mid point ・ Circle: Center point, the intersection of a line drawn from the center of the circle in the X and Y axis directions (4 points) ・ Circle arc: Center point, both end points, mid point (arc)・ Ellipse: Center point, intersection of ellipse with minor axis and major axis and ellipse (four points) ・ Ellipse arc: Center point, both end points, minor axis and major axis of elliptical arc and ellipse arc (4 points) and midpoints (points on the elliptical arc that bisects the distance of the elliptical arc) ・ Line segment sequence: Both end points and midpoints of each line segment constituting the line segment sequence ・ Free curve: Both end points , The control point of the curve, the midpoint (the point bisecting the distance of the free curve).

(6) Intersection designation: One or two line elements, such as line segments and circles, displayed in the drawing area 62,
By selecting elements, the intersection of those elements is
U21 calculates and specifies the position.

Here, when a single line element has its own intersection, that is, when it crosses itself, it is only necessary to select one line element. Otherwise,
Specify two line elements.

When there are a plurality of intersections, a method for specifying one point includes a method in which the CPU 21 automatically extracts an intersection closest to the position of the mouse pointer 63 when an element is selected first or later. There is a method of designating one more point from the intersection.

FIG. 5 shows an example in which a line segment and an arc are selected, and the position is specified by specifying an intersection. In the figure, elements are selected in the order of line segment and arc at the position indicated by the check mark, indicating that the position of the mark * has been specified by the intersection specification.

(7) Line point designation: By selecting one line element such as a line segment or a circle displayed in the drawing area 62, the line closest to the position of the mouse pointer 63 at that time is selected. The CPU 21 calculates a point on the element and specifies a position.

FIG. 6 shows an example in which an arc is selected as an element and its position is specified by specifying a point on a line. In the figure, the element is selected at the position indicated by the mark, indicating that the position of the mark * has been designated by the point on the line. The point of the mark is
Points near the arc and points marked with * are points on the arc.

Next, "commands" handled in this embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, each unit of print data creation and editing work is called a “command”.

Commands handled in this embodiment include commands (drawing commands) for creating each element such as a point, a straight line, a circle, and a curve, and shapes and attributes of each element such as a move, copy, delete, and attribute. Command to modify the command (modification command)
And other commands related to files, prints, registration marks, bar codes, and the like.

In order to create or edit print data, first, one arbitrary command is selected according to the work unit. To select a command, a method of inputting a command name from the keyboard 11 in the character input area 64 or a main panel 6 in which the command name is set in advance is used.
For example, there is a method of selecting the button 65 on the first button.

When a command is selected, if there is a command that has already been selected,
The end processing of the command is performed. Subsequently, the initial processing of the newly selected command is performed, and the processing in the command is started.

When a command is selected, a command menu 67 is displayed on the display device 41 for selecting a finer work unit in the selected command. The user can perform various editing operations by selecting a button of an arbitrary menu item of the command menu 67. An instruction as to what kind of operation the user should perform is displayed in the guidance area 68 each time according to the work situation, so the user may perform the operation according to the instruction.

[Explanation of Print Data] Elements of Print Data Next, what types exist in the elements of graphic data and character data that constitute print data that can be created by the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. Will be described specifically.

Elements of graphic data and character data that can be created by the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment are roughly classified into the following five types (A) to (E). (A) Basic figure: Point, line segment, line segment sequence (open / closed), circle, arc, ellipse, elliptical arc, free curve (open / closed) (B) Filled figure (C) Other figures: register mark, bar Code (D) Text (E) Group figure: symbol, illustration.

The term “element” as used herein means a unit of data that is actually laid out as print data by adding an attribute (called a print attribute) required as print data to graphic data or character data. ing. If a plurality of elements laid out as print data are grouped together, they can be treated as one element. The method of grouping elements will be described later.

The five types (A) to (E) will be described in detail below.

First, the basic figure of FIG. 7A is the most basic figure data element. In addition, rectangles (rectangles whose sides are parallel to the X and Y axes), regular polygons, and the like, which are constituted by a line segment sequence, can also be handled as elements of the basic graphic. Further, as the free curve, an expression form such as Bezier, rational Bezier, B-spline, Hermite, NURBS can be used.

The filled figure of (B) forms a closed area by connecting the elements (except for points) of (A) alone or a plurality of them, and forms a closed area of the figure data in which the inside is filled. Element. There are the following four types of filling methods. (1) Fill area: The inside is uniformly painted. (2) Hatching: Filling with a plurality of line segments having a certain inclination and interval. A specific point in the filled figure can be designated as a reference point for hatching. (3) Mesh: Filled with repetition of a figure having a certain shape such as a circle, rectangle, regular polygon, or the like. A specific point in the filled figure can be designated as a reference point of the mesh. (4) Pattern: Painted by repeating a bit pattern created in advance.

Other figures in (C) include registration marks and bar codes. These elements include both graphic data and character data. The method of creating the registration mark and barcode elements will be described later.

The text (D) is an element of character data. Like the graphic data element, the layout can be laid out as print data, but the type of print attribute and the layout method are different from the graphic data element.

Finally, the group graphic of (E) is represented by (A)
For selecting one or more arbitrary elements of the basic figure, the filled figure of (B), the other figure of (C), and the text of (D) and treating them as one element collectively There are symbols and illustrations.

Print Attributes of Print Data Next, what types of print attributes of graphic data and character data, which are print data that can be created by the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, are specifically described. I will explain it.

The print attributes of graphic data and character data that can be created by the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment are roughly classified into the following seven types (a) to (g).

First, there are the following three types of print attributes common to graphic data and character data: (a) to (c). (A) Display attribute: Specifies whether or not to display an element and, in the case of display, what kind of upper / lower relationship to display (called display priority). (B) Selection attribute: Specifies whether or not element selection is possible. If the selection of an element is disabled, operations on the element cannot be performed. (C) Color attribute: The color of an element is represented by giving the type of a color model such as RGB or HLS and the value of a color code. When a monochrome printing device such as the display device 41 or the laser printer 51 that cannot express colors other than white and black is used, it is converted into either white or black depending on the color attribute and output. Is done.

Next, there are the following three types of print attributes unique to the graphic data: (d) to (f). (D) Point attribute: In the case of a point element, a symbol or a character string can be displayed at a position where a point exists. (E) Line attribute: In the case of an element (line element) of a basic figure other than a point, the following various line attributes can be expressed. -Line type: Indicates the shape of the line element, solid line, dashed line,
There is a two-dot chain line, and the like. -Line width: Indicates the size of the line element in the normal direction. It is possible to specify a predetermined type such as a thin line, a medium line, or a thick line, or to specify an actual size. Line width direction: Indicates whether the line width is offset by the line width in the normal direction from the case where the line width is not considered.・ Terminal shape: The shape of the end of an open figure such as a line segment or an arc.
Round, flat, square, etc. FIG. 62
Shows an example of each terminal shape (round, flat, square). Connection shape: The shape of the corner of a figure such as a line segment or a rectangle, such as a miter, a round, or a bevel. FIG. 63 shows an example of each connection shape (miter, round, bevel). Line pitch: When the line type is other than the solid line, the length of the portion where the line exists and the length of the portion where the line does not exist can be given by the actual size or parameter. (F) Fill attribute: For a filled graphic element, the type of internal filling method such as fill area, hatching, mesh, pattern, etc., necessary detailed data for hatching or mesh, and pattern number for pattern give.

Finally, print attributes unique to character data include:
There is only one type shown in (g) below. (G) Character string attribute: In the case of a text element, the following various character attributes and attributes of the entire character string can be expressed. -Typeface: Represents the design of a set of characters, such as courier, helvetica, gothic. Character size: Represents the size of a character, which is generally equal to the height of a rectangular area occupied by one character = body in the line feed direction. Flatness ratio: The ratio of how much a character is reduced in the line feed direction of the character.・ Long body ratio: The ratio indicates how much a character is shrunk in the character feed direction. Base angle: represents the angle between the character feed direction and the X axis. -Italic angle: Indicates the inclination angle of the character with respect to the character feed direction. Character spacing: represents the spacing between the bodies of two adjacent characters on the same line. -Line spacing: represents the spacing between the bodies of the characters on two adjacent lines.・ Character string inversion: The character string is inverted (mirror image) and displayed.

Next, the data structure of the print data in this embodiment will be described. In general, the print data according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of element data and a plurality of print attribute data as described above.

Here, each element data is basically composed of a data type code, a data number, necessary data for each element,
The data number is the required print attribute data for each element.

The type of each element data in the print data can be specified by the data type code uniquely assigned in the print data. Further, each element data in the print data can be specified by a data number uniquely assigned in the print data. The types of required data and required print attributes are different for each element, but the CPU 21 can identify them by the data type code.

Further, each print attribute is not held for each element data, but each element data holds only the data number of necessary print attribute data. This avoids duplication of print attribute data,
It is possible to reduce the capacity of print data, change the print attributes of a plurality of element data by one operation, and the like.

First, the data structure of each element of graphic data and character data will be specifically shown below.

(A) Basic figure (1) Point-Data type code-Data number-Point coordinates: c [2]-Data number of display attribute-Data number of selected attribute-Data number of color attribute-Data of point attribute Number (2) Line segment ・ Data type code ・ Data number ・ Start point coordinate: s [2] ・ End point coordinate: e [2] ・ Data number of display attribute ・ Data number of selected attribute ・ Data number of color attribute ・ Line attribute (3) Line segment sequence-Data type code-Data number-Number of passing points: np-Coordinates of each passing point: pp [2] (np)-Data number of display attribute-Data number of selected attribute-Color attribute・ Data number of line attribute (4) Circle ・ Data type code ・ Data number ・ Center coordinate: c [2] ・ Radius: r ・ Data number of display attribute ・ Data number of selected attribute ・ Data number of color attribute・Attribute data number (5) Arc ・ Data type code ・ Data number ・ Start point coordinate: s [2] ・ End point coordinate: e [2] ・ Center coordinate: c [2] ・ Rotation direction flag (clockwise / counterclockwise) ) ・ Data number of display attribute ・ Data number of selected attribute ・ Data number of color attribute ・ Data number of line attribute (6) Ellipse ・ Data type code ・ Data number ・ Center coordinate: c [2] ・ Long axis vector: a [2]-Short axis vector: b [2]-Data number of display attribute-Data number of selected attribute-Data number of color attribute-Data number of line attribute (7) Elliptic arc-Data type code-Data number-Start point coordinate : S [2] ・ End point coordinate: e [2] ・ Center coordinate: c [2] ・ Long axis vector: a [2] ・ Short axis vector: b [2] ・ Rotation direction flag (clockwise / counterclockwise)・ Data number of display attribute Data number of selected attribute ・ Data number of color attribute ・ Data number of line attribute (8) Free curve (in the case of Bezier curve) ・ Data type code ・ Data number ・ Number of curves: nv ・ Control point data of each curve (nv ): Number of control points: nc Coordinates of each control point: pc [2] (nc) Weight coefficient: w ・ Number of passing points: np ・ Coordinates of each passing point: pp [2] (np) ・ Data number of display attribute ・ Selection Attribute data number-Color attribute data number-Line attribute data number.

(B) Filled figure • Data type code • Data number • Layout reference rectangle lower left point coordinate: p1 [2] • Layout reference rectangle upper right point coordinate: p2 [2] • Number of loops: nl • Components of each loop Data (nl): Number of components: nd Component data: Basic graphic element data excluding points (nd
・ Passing reference point coordinates: pp [2] ・ Data number of display attribute ・ Data number of selected attribute ・ Data number of color attribute ・ Data number of fill attribute ・ Data number of display attribute of frame ・ Color attribute of frame Data number ・ Data number of line attribute of frame (Filled figure has print attribute of frame of filled figure separately in addition to print attribute of inside of filled figure. , It is possible to change the color attribute of the frame and display it.)

(C) Other figures (1) Marks • Data type code • Data number • Mark type flag (register mark / scale register mark) • Mark shape flag (11 types for register marks / three types for scale marks) • Registration mark offset flag (with / without offset) • Print data name (for scale registration marks) • Registration mark length (for scale registration marks) • Layout reference point coordinates: pb [2] • Output magnification: sc • Layout reference rectangle lower left Point coordinates: p1 [2]-Top right coordinates of layout reference rectangle: p2 [2]-Number of components: nd-Component data: Any of line segments for registration marks, line segments, circles, and texts for scale registration marks (2) Bar code ・ Data type code ・ Data number ・ Bar code type flag (4 types)・ Code data ・ Code display flag (with / without code display) ・ Layout reference position flag (lower left / center / upper right 9)
・ Layout reference point coordinates: pb [2] ・ Layout angle: ang ・ Layout scale: sc ・ Layout reference rectangle lower left point coordinates: p1 [2] ・ Layout reference rectangle upper right point coordinates: p2 [2] ・ Number of components : Nd Component data: any one of line segment and text element data (nd).

(D) Text (1) Basic character string (elements constituting text) Data type code Data number Character string start point coordinates: pt [2] Character string byte number: nch Character string data: str (nch byte) ・ Layout angle: ang ・ Layout scale: sc ・ Display attribute data number ・ Selection attribute data number ・ Color attribute data number ・ Character string attribute data number (2) Text ・ Data type code ・ Data No. ・ Layout reference position flag (lower left / center / upper right 9
・ Layout reference point coordinates: pb [2] ・ Layout reference rectangle lower left point coordinates: p1 [2] ・ Layout reference rectangle upper right point coordinates: p2 [2] ・ Number of components: nd ・ Component data: basic character string (Nd elements) (The text element is composed by combining a plurality of basic character string elements. With this, it is possible to handle a character string having a plurality of character string attributes in one text element. For example, it is possible to change the typeface of a character in the middle of one text, change the height and width of the character, and so on.)

(E) Group graphic (1) Symbol • Data type code • Data number • Folder name • File name • Layout reference position flag (lower left / center / upper right 9
・ Layout reference point coordinates: pb [2] ・ Layout angle: ang ・ Layout scale: sc ・ Layout reference rectangle lower left point coordinates: p1 [2] ・ Layout reference rectangle upper right point coordinates: p2 [2] ・ Reverse flag ( (With / without inversion) • Line width scale flag (with / without line width scale) • Line width scale value (2) Illustration • Data type code • Data number • Folder name • File name • Layout reference position flag (lower left / center / Upper right 9
・ Layout reference point coordinates: pb [2] ・ Layout angle: ang ・ Layout scale: sc ・ Layout reference rectangle lower left point coordinates: p1 [2] ・ Layout reference rectangle upper right point coordinates: p2 [2] ・ Reverse flag ( (With / without inversion)-Number of components: nd-Component data: arbitrary element data (nd) (Characteristics of the symbol and illustration data structures and the file structures of the symbol data file and the illustration data file will be described later.) .).

Next, the data structure of print attribute data for element data having the above-described data structure will be described.

Here, each print attribute data basically includes
The data type code, data number, attribute setting flag, and required data for each print attribute are provided.

The type of each print attribute data in the print data can be specified by the data type code uniquely assigned in the print data. Further, each print attribute data in the print data can be specified by a data number uniquely assigned in the print data. Necessary data is different for each print attribute, but the CPU 21 can identify them by the data type code.

The attribute setting flag is a flag for specifying whether or not the print attribute data is valid. In the element data indicating the print attribute data in which the attribute setting flag is valid, according to the corresponding print attribute data,
The element is displayed. On the other hand, in the element data indicating the print attribute data in which the attribute setting flag is invalid, it is considered that the corresponding print attribute is not set, and the default data stored in the ROM 31 or the external storage device 33 in advance is considered. The element is displayed according to the print attribute.

If the data structure is such that each element data can have a hierarchical relationship, it is possible to control to display according to the print attribute of the upper (or lower) element.

The data structure of each print attribute data will be specifically described below. (A) Display attribute ・ Data type code ・ Data number ・ Attribute setting flag (valid / invalid) ・ Display flag (display / non-display) ・ Display priority (b) Selection attribute ・ Data type code ・ Data number ・ Attribute setting flag ( (Valid / invalid) ・ Element selection flag (valid / invalid) (c) Color attribute ・ Data type code ・ Data number ・ Attribute setting flag (valid / invalid) ・ Color code type flag (RGB / HLS) ・ Color code 1, 2 3 (d) Point attribute-Data type code-Data number-Attribute setting flag (valid / invalid)-Marker character string (e) Line attribute-Data type code-Data number-Attribute setting flag (valid / invalid)-Line Seed flag (solid line / dashed line / dash-dot line / two-dot chain line / arbitrary broken line / arbitrary dash-dot line / arbitrary two-dot chain line)-Line width flag (fine line / medium line / thick line / thick line / very thick line) (Line width) ・ Line width direction flag (center / inside / outside) ・ Terminal shape flag (round / flat / square) ・ Connection shape flag (miter / round / bevel) ・ Line type data 1, 2, 3, 4 (line (Type = arbitrary) ・ Line width data (when line width = arbitrary) (f) Fill attribute ・ Data type code ・ Data number ・ Attribute setting flag (valid / invalid) ・ Fill type flag (filled / not filled /
(Hatch / mesh number / pattern number, etc.)-Number of data groups: nd-Fill data 1, 2, 3 (nd) (g) Character string attribute-Data type code-Data number-Attribute setting flag (valid / invalid)- Typeface ・ Character size ・ Flat body ratio ・ Long body ratio ・ Base angle ・ Italic angle ・ Character spacing ・ Line spacing ・ Character string inversion flag (Yes / No).

FIG. 7 shows an example of a print data file created by the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment based on the data structure of the print data described above.

The print data shown in FIG. 7 is for printing a figure having a shape as shown in FIG. 8, and in the present embodiment, the figure represented by the print data shown in FIG. , Consisting of one element of the basic figure, one line segment sequence, two circles, and two points, a lower left point and an upper right point of a circumscribed rectangle of these three elements (these two points are hidden and cannot be selected). In addition, these one line segment row and two circles have the same display attribute (display), selection attribute (selectable), line attribute (solid line, line width 20 mm), and different colors from each other. It has attributes.

Data Structure of Group Graphic Now, the data structure of symbols and illustrations, which are group figures, among the data structures of the print data described above, will be described in detail.

First, the data structure of a symbol will be described.

In the present embodiment, a symbol is a figure repeatedly used, such as a symbol defined by a standard or a logo mark, and is an element of graphic data (such as a line segment or a circle).
And elements created by combining elements (text) of character data.

In the case of symbol data, if the contents of the symbol data file are updated due to a change in the standard or the like, all the corresponding symbols already laid out as a part of the print data are updated. Data synchronization.

Therefore, in the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, symbol data is held in the following data structure.

That is, in the print data, only the folder name and file name for specifying the location of the symbol data file and information necessary for laying out the symbols are stored.

A symbol data file is created separately from a print data file in which print data is stored in a file. The symbol data file has the following file structure. -Coordinates of the lower left point of the layout reference rectangle: p1 [2]-Coordinates of the upper right point of the layout reference rectangle: p2 [2]-Component data: arbitrary element data (plural)-Print attribute data: required print attribute data (plural).

Although the layout reference rectangle will be described later, if the layout reference rectangle is determined, it is possible to specify information on the position and size required when laying out symbols as print data. For example, as the layout reference rectangle, it is possible to designate a minimum rectangle (referred to as a circumscribed rectangle) surrounding the visible portion of the symbol.

When creating a symbol data file,
If the data of the circumscribed rectangle of the symbol is registered as the layout reference rectangle, it is not necessary to recalculate the circumscribed rectangle of the symbol when the symbol data file is read again.

Each component data of the symbol is represented by a relative coordinate value based on the lower left point of the layout reference rectangle.

As with the print data, print attribute data necessary for displaying each component data is held separately from the element data.

As a result, even if the print data file including the changed symbol is not updated, the corresponding print data file can be stored in the external storage device 33 from the RA.
Simply reading the data into M32 again replaces the symbol data in the print data with the contents of the latest symbol data file so that the data can be automatically synchronized.

Next, the data structure of an illustration which is another group figure will be described.

In the present embodiment, an illustration is a figure that is used repeatedly, such as a template figure, and also, like a symbol, an element of graphic data (such as a line segment or a circle) or a character data. An element created by combining elements (text).

The illustration is different from the symbol, and once laid out as part of the print data,
It is used when it is desired to freely change the contents of the original illustration data file without synchronization.

Therefore, in the case of the illustration data, unlike the symbol data, even if the contents of the illustration data file are updated, the corresponding illustration already laid out as a part of the print data is updated and synchronized. Will not maintain.

Therefore, the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment holds the illustration data in the following data structure.

That is, in the print data, in addition to the folder name and file name for specifying the location of the illustration data file, and information necessary for laying out the illustration, the print data is read from the illustration data file. However, it actually holds each element data that makes up the illustration.

An illustration data file is created separately from the print data file. The illustration data file has the following file structure. -Coordinates of the lower left point of the layout reference rectangle: p1 [2]-Coordinates of the upper right point of the layout reference rectangle: p2 [2]-Component data: arbitrary element data (plural)-Print attribute data: required print attribute data (plural).

This structure is similar to the file structure of the symbol data file. When reading this into the print data, the specified layout reference point coordinates are used as the origin, and according to the specified layout angle and layout scale,
The symbol is different from the symbol in that each component data in the illustration data file is developed (coordinate-transformed) and all of the component data is held as illustration element data of the print data.

[Creation of Print Data] Now, the procedure for creating print data will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, a case where a symbol is created will be described as an example of graphic data.

Creation of Symbol First, as an example of creating graphic data, a case of creating a symbol as shown in FIG. 8 will be described.

The symbol shown in FIG. 8 is composed of basic figures such as two circle elements and one line segment element. Here, there are three flows of (A) laying out a basic figure as print data, (B) grouping symbol components and registering them as symbols, and (C) calling up the registered symbols and laying them out as print data. Will be described separately.

First, a process of laying out a basic figure as print data will be described.

(A) Layout of Basic Figure FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for laying out a basic figure as print data.

First, necessary to create a basic figure,
Input necessary information such as a coordinate value and a radius (step S
0901). The input processing of the necessary information will be described later in detail.

Next, a print attribute is added to the graphic data,
Make it usable as print data (step S0
902). The print attribute adding process will be described later in detail.

When the print attribute is added in step S0902, the CPU 21 registers the created basic graphic element data as print data in the RAM 32 (step S0903). And furthermore, CP
U21 stores the created basic graphic element in the drawing area 62.
(Step S0904).

Hereinafter, the input processing of necessary information in step S0901 will be described.

This is a different operation depending on the type of the basic figure.

For example, to create a circle, the following operation is performed. (1) The position of the center of the circle is designated by selecting an existing point with the mouse 12 or by arbitrarily designating it, or by inputting X and Y coordinate values with the keyboard 11. (2) The position of one point on the circumference can be selected with the mouse 12 as an element that already exists, or specified arbitrarily, or the keyboard 1
1 is designated by inputting the coordinate values of X and Y. Alternatively, the user inputs a radius using the keyboard 11.

In addition to the above-described method of specifying the center and one point on the circumference, or the center and the radius, a method of specifying three different points on the circumference, and specifying two different points and a radius on the circumference There are ways to do that.

[0124] Since these operation procedures are displayed in the guidance area 68, the user may perform the operation in accordance with the instruction.

When a line segment sequence is created, the following operation is performed. (1) The position of the start point of the line segment sequence can be selected with the mouse 12 as an element, or specified arbitrarily, or the keyboard 1
1 is designated by inputting the coordinate values of X and Y. (2) Similarly, specify any number of passing points. (3) The end of the designation of the passing point is instructed by selecting the general-purpose button 66 or the like.

Next, the print attribute adding process in step S0902 will be described.

First, the types of the print attributes of the graphic data are as described above. As an example, FIG. 10 shows graphic data to which a print attribute is not added and graphic data to which a print attribute is added. It can be seen that in the state where the print attribute is not added, the difference in the line width, the terminal shape, the connection shape, and the like cannot be expressed. The state where the print attribute is not added is a case where the attribute setting flag is invalid in the structure of the print attribute data described above.
Note that, even when the attribute setting flag is invalid, the shape of the graphic data is output with a predetermined print attribute. To add the print attribute to the graphic data element, the display device 4
1 requires a dedicated panel to be displayed.

FIG. 11 shows a graphic data print attribute editing panel 1101 used to add such graphic data elements. The user can edit the print attributes on the graphic data print attribute edit panel 1101.

While the graphic data print attribute editing panel 1101 is displayed, a type other than the solid line is selected as the line type, and the graphic data print attribute edit panel 1101 is selected.
When the "line pitch" button is selected, the button shown in FIG.
The line pitch editing panel 1201 corresponding to each type of the broken line, the one-dot chain line, and the two-dot chain line as shown in FIG. Then, the line pitch data can be edited on the line pitch editing panel 1201. FIG. 12 shows a display example in the case of a two-dot chain line.

To edit the print attribute, a character input area of the print attribute to be edited is designated on the graphic data print attribute edit panel 1101 with the mouse 12 or the keyboard 11 and numerical data is input with the keyboard 11. , Or select the button for the item you want to select, and then
What is necessary is just to select a button of a "setting" button.

To set print attributes for print data to be created from now on, after inputting each print attribute on the graphic data print attribute edit panel 1101 by the above-described method, What is necessary is just to create each element of.

Further, once the print attributes are set, the CPU 21 stores them as the current print attributes in the RAM 32. Therefore, it is not necessary to set the print attributes each time an element is created. .

When ending the program, the CPU
21 stores the current print attribute in the external storage device 33, and then, when the program is executed, returns to the RAM again.
Since the data is read into the memory 32, there is no need to reset the current print attribute every time the program is executed. The current print attributes are common to all users,
Individually set by the user, RAM separately
32 or the external storage device 33.

When editing print attributes for print data that has already been created, if an element displayed in the drawing area 62 is selected, the CPU 21 determines whether the data is graphic data or character data. In the case of graphic data, the graphic data print attribute editing panel 1101 is displayed on the display device 41.

At this time, the current print attribute of the selected element is displayed on the graphic data print attribute edit panel 1101, so that the print attribute is edited by the above-described method.
What is necessary is just to select a button of a "setting" button. The target element on the drawing area 62 is redrawn according to the edited new print attribute.

The procedure for laying out a basic figure as print data has been described above. Next, a process of grouping the constituent elements of a symbol and registering the group as a symbol will be described.

(B) Grouping of Elements and Registration of Symbols FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure for grouping the components of a symbol and registering them as symbols.

First, target elements to be registered as symbols are grouped (step S1301). The process of grouping the target elements will be described later in detail.

Next, when the elements constituting the symbol are specified in step S1301, the CPU 21 extracts the outline information of each of the elements in consideration of the printing attribute (step S1302). The process of extracting the contour information will be described later in detail.

After extracting the outline information of each target element in step S1302, the CPU 21 calculates a circumscribed rectangle from the extracted outline information (step S130).
3). Here, the circumscribed rectangle is a rectangle having a minimum size surrounding a visible portion of the element, and is specified by giving X and Y coordinates of two diagonal points.

As described above, the circumscribed rectangle of the element is the diagonal 2
From the extracted outline information, the maximum X and Y coordinates and the minimum X and Y coordinates are calculated, and the lower left point and the upper right point of the circumscribed rectangle are determined by the lower left point (the minimum X value of the outline information). Minimum Y of coordinates and contour information
Coordinates) Upper right point (maximum X coordinate of outline information, maximum Y of outline information)
Given the coordinates, a circumscribed rectangle can be easily obtained.

When the circumscribed rectangle of the grouped element is determined in step S1303, the CPU 21 displays the circumscribed rectangle on the grouped element already displayed in the drawing area 62 (step S1303). S13
04). The display is, for example, as shown in FIG.

Next, a layout reference rectangle that defines the layout reference information of the grouped elements is set (step S1305). The process of setting the layout reference rectangle will be described later in detail.

With the above series of processing, elements to be registered as symbols are grouped, and the layout reference rectangle is obtained. Characters input from the keyboard 11 or the like by the user as keys for identifying the symbols are obtained. The column is determined as a symbol name (step S1306).

Finally, the CPU 21 stores the data relating to the symbol in the external storage device 33 as a symbol data file having the structure shown in FIG. 7 (step S1307).

When the layout reference rectangle is set as described above, the layout reference position in the structure of the symbol data file shown in FIG. 7 is not explicitly specified, but when the layout reference rectangle is stored in the symbol data file. , The lower left point of the layout reference rectangle may be always set as the layout reference position.

The coordinate data of each element constituting the symbol is represented by relative coordinates from the layout reference position.

Hereinafter, the process of grouping the target elements in step S1301 will be described.

There are the following methods for grouping elements. This method is a method that can be used not only when the elements are grouped but also when a plurality of elements are collectively processed in a collective manner such as copying, moving, and deleting.

(1) Continuous element selection: Elements to be grouped are selected one by one. When ending the element selection, the general-purpose button 6 on the main panel 61
6 or double-click any button of the mouse on the drawing area 62 (press the button twice in a short time).

(2) Specifying a rectangular area: An area including an element to be grouped is specified by surrounding it with a rectangle. In order to specify a rectangle, the positions of two diagonal points may be specified by a method such as an arbitrary specification or a point specification. In this case, the target is an element that is entirely contained within the specified rectangle.

FIG. 14 shows an example of a state where a target element is selected by this method.

In FIG. 14, when the position indicated by an asterisk is designated, a rectangle indicating the area is displayed in the drawing area 62. In the figure, an element indicated as "selection" is selected, and is actually displayed in red or the like so that it can be identified.

It should be noted that an element that is partially included in the specified rectangle may be targeted, or an element that is not included at all in the specified rectangle may be targeted.

(3) Arbitrary area specification: An area including an element to be grouped is specified by surrounding it with a polygon. Each point constituting the polygon may be designated by a method such as arbitrary designation or point designation. In this case, the target is an element whose part is included inside the designated polygon.

FIG. 15 shows an example of a state where a target element is selected by this method.

In FIG. 15, when a position indicated by an asterisk is designated, a polygon indicating the area is displayed in the drawing area 62. In the figure, an element indicated as "selection" is selected, and is actually displayed in red or the like so that it can be identified.

It should be noted that elements that are entirely contained within the designated polygon may be targeted, or elements that are not contained at all within the designated polygon.

Next, the process of extracting contour information in step S1302 will be described.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the result of extracting the outline information of the symbol shown in FIG.

The outline information can be expressed as a combination of line elements such as line segments, circles, arcs, ellipses, elliptical arcs, and free curves. However, in the outline information, it is not necessary to consider a printing attribute such as a line width, and the outline information is regarded as a figure having no area.

There are the following methods for extracting outline information of graphic data and character data to which a print attribute has been added.

(1) Method of displaying on a display device as it is:
In the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the WYSIWYG function is realized, so that the data with the print attribute is displayed in the same display form as the output form at the time of printing. It is displayed on the display device 41.

For example, when the WYSIWYG function is realized by the display postscript (DPS), the function of the graphic data or the character data is performed.
Postscript (PS) for extracting contour information
May be issued to the displayed graphic data or character data.

The coordinate data of the contour information obtained in this way is quantized data in which the size of a dot on the screen of the display device 41 is the minimum unit. Therefore, this value generally includes an error.

Assuming that the width and height of one dot of the display device 41 is Dd (inch), as shown in FIG. 17, the actual coordinates are the boundary between two dots as shown in (b) and (c). Considering the case where the positions of the four dots coincide with each other as in (d), the error of the obtained coordinate data is Dd * 2 (inch) at the maximum.

In FIG. 17, the position indicated by * is the actual coordinate position that has not been quantized, and the hatched rectangle represents the dot on the screen at that time, that is, the quantized value. .

If the resolution Rd of the display device 41 is approximately
If d = 100 (DPI), the error is about Dd * 2 = (1 / Rd) * 2 = 1/50 (inch) (Equation 1).

In a high-resolution printing apparatus such as the imagesetter 52, the resolution Rp is approximately Rp = 3000.
(DPI), and the width and height of one dot
(Inch), the error at the time of output is Dp * 2 = (1 / Rp) * 2 = 1/1500 (inch) (Equation 2), and the coordinate data obtained from the result displayed on the display device 41 is as follows. However, it is highly likely that the accuracy is not necessarily sufficient.

However, according to this method, outline information of graphic data and character data can be easily obtained simply by calling the PS operator. For example,
Even if print data such as a publication or wrapping paper is created, or even print data having a portion requiring higher accuracy than the resolution of the display device 41, it is output in accordance with other elements or specific coordinate values accurately. It is sufficient to extract the contour information by using this method for the unnecessary part.

(2) Method of Temporarily Enlarging and Displaying on Display Device: In the method of (1), however, print data requiring high precision, which corresponds to the resolution of a printing device such as the imagesetter 52, is used. In addition, the resolution of the display device 41 and the printing device such as the imagesetter 52 are different for a portion that needs to be output accurately in accordance with other elements or specific coordinate values. However, even if it is intended to accurately extract the outline information, a visible error may occur when printing is performed by a printing device such as the imagesetter 52.

In the above method (1), when an error of one dot on the display device 41 is output to the image setter 52, an error of as many as 30 dots appears.

Therefore, the graphic data or character data
When extracting contour information, the target data is temporarily enlarged and displayed before a PostScript (PS) command (operator) is issued for graphic data or character data. Can be reduced.

[0174] Here, "display" means that data is transmitted to the display device 41.
It does not necessarily need to be visible.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure for temporarily enlarging an element, displaying the element on a display device, and extracting outline information.

First, the magnification of enlargement is determined (step S
1801). The magnification of the enlargement may be larger than the ratio of the resolution between the display device 41 and the imagesetter 52. Therefore, in the case of the resolution indicated by the method (1), the element for which contour information is to be obtained may be enlarged at a magnification larger than Rp / Rd = 3000/100 = 30 (times) (Equation 3). At this time, among the print attributes of the elements, the line width, terminal shape, connection shape, and the like, which are affected by the enlargement, are also enlarged at the same magnification.

Next, the element enlarged by the magnification determined in step S1801 is displayed on the display device 41 (step S1802).

Next, similarly to the above method (1), the outline information of the enlarged element is extracted by using the PS operator or the like (step S1803). The accuracy of the extracted contour information is comparable to the accuracy of the imagesetter 52.

Next, the extracted outline information is restored to the size before the enlargement (step S1804).

Finally, the temporarily enlarged element data used for extracting the outline information is unnecessary after the outline information is extracted, and is deleted (step S180).
5).

(3) Method by geometrical method:
A method of extracting contour information by a geometric method will be described with reference to FIGS. 44, 45, 46, and 47.

FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing the outline extraction procedure according to this embodiment. First, the shape data of the target graphic is temporarily stored in the external storage device 33 or the read / write storage device (RAM) 32 (step S).
3001).

Next, the processing is divided according to the type of the figure. The classification is performed as described below (step S
3002). Class I: a normal figure such as a line segment or a circle; Class II: a multi-line figure composed of a plurality of lines; Class III: a figure created by offset such as an ellipse or a free curve. The figure is different from the type. Hereinafter, the processing of the figures classified into each type in the classification processing will be described.

Class I: For figures such as line segments and circles, the offset shape can be simply obtained if the offset direction is determined.
Hereinafter, the extraction of contours of a figure classified into Class I will be described by taking a line segment whose offset direction is specified on both sides as a print attribute as an example. FIG. 49 is a diagram illustrating a line segment (print attribute: offset direction = both sides) in consideration of the print attribute.

In the case of this example, as shown in FIG. 49, on both sides of the line connecting the start point and the end point defining the line segment, a line segment offset by 1/2 of the designated line width in the normal direction ( It is sufficient to assume that offset line segment 1 and offset line segment 2) exist. Then, the start point and end point coordinates of these assumed line segments (offset line segment 1, offset line segment 2) are obtained (step S3002). After that, step S3005
Then, the contour information of the figure is calculated.

Next, the processing (step S3003) in the case where the graphic to be processed is the type II will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 45 is a flowchart showing the outline extraction procedure of the multi-line figure according to the present embodiment.

First, an offset figure of each segment constituting the multi-line of the original figure (segment indicates each line segment element constituting the multi-line) is created.
For each of these segments, the above-described step S30
02 (FIG. 44). However, since the connection shape defined as the print attribute is not considered in this case alone, the following processing is further performed.

First, it is determined whether or not the print attribute of the input multi-line is a miter shape (step S400).
2). The miter shape is as shown in FIG.

If it is determined in step S4002 that the connection shape is a miter shape, the flow advances to step S4003 to determine whether the connection between segments exceeds the miter limit. Here, the determination as to whether or not the value exceeds the miter limit is performed as follows. First, the angle θ between adjacent segments of the multiline is calculated. Then, it is checked whether or not the angle θ satisfies the following condition.

| Θ |> 2 * asin (1 / M) | π−θ |> 2 * asin (1 / M) (where M is a miter limit indicating a limit value at which the miter shape is printed or displayed as a miter) Here, when θ satisfies either of the conditions, θ is determined to exceed the miter limit, and when neither is satisfied, it is determined that the miter limit is not exceeded (step S4003).

If it is determined in step S4003 that the value exceeds the miter limit, the process proceeds to step S4004. In step S4004, a line segment directly connecting two adjacent line segments exceeding the miter limit of the figure is inserted, and processing is performed as if the connection is a bevel (step S4004).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4003 that the miter limit is not exceeded, or if it is determined in step S4002 that the connection shape is not a miter shape, the process proceeds to step S4005. Hereinafter, processing of two adjacent segments of a portion having a connection shape that does not exceed the miter limit although it has a multiline shape or a portion where the connection portion is not a miter shape will be described.

First, in step S4005, it is checked whether an intersection exists on the offset line segment of two adjacent lines of the classified figure. If there is an intersection, the two intersecting line segments are shortened at the intersection, that is, a portion protruding from the intersection is removed (step S4007). On the other hand, if there is no intersection, an unconnected offset segment is assumed to be a straight line having an infinite length, and the intersection of the assumed straight line is determined. Then, the offset line segment is extended to this intersection (step S4006).

The processing described above (step S4004,
The offset line segment created in S4006, S4007) is stored in a storage area such as the read / write storage device 32 or the external storage device 33 (step S4008).

Next, it is determined whether or not the connected shape of the input graphic is a round (step S4009). Then, when it is determined that the connection shape is a round, a circle (virtual circle) having a radius of 1/2 of the line width centered on each joint portion position is read, and this is written to the write storage device 32 or It is stored in a storage area such as the external storage device 33.

FIG. 50 is a diagram for explaining the creation of a virtual circle when the connection shape is a round. As shown in FIG. 50 (a), when the offset direction is on both sides, the connection shape is formed by arranging a virtual circle having a radius of r = line width / 2 around the intersection of the line segment. Is a round shape. Further, as shown in FIGS. 50B and 50C, when the offset direction is outside or inside, r = line width centering on the intersection of the offset line segment at the position of line width / 2. A virtual circle having a radius of / 2 may be arranged.

Next, the processing of figures classified into class III will be described, particularly with the case of a Bezier curve as an example. In the present embodiment, contour extraction is performed on this type of figure in consideration of the print attribute and the resolution of the printing apparatus. FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing the outline extraction procedure of the type III graphic according to the present embodiment.

First, the resolution of the output device to which the figure is to be output is input (step S5001). As an input method of the output device resolution, a display device 41 as shown in FIG.
To prompt the user to input resolution information through input devices such as the keyboard 11 and the mouse 12. It is also possible to read in advance a file in which the resolution information of the output device is stored in the read-only storage device 31 or the external storage device 33. (Step S5001).

Next, based on the input resolution information, the number of divisions of the figure whose contour is to be extracted is calculated (step S50).
02). The specific processing of step S5002 will be described later.

Next, the Bezier curve is recursively divided using the DeCasteljau Bezier division algorithm. DeCastelja
FIG. 48 shows an example of a curve divided using the algorithm of u. The number of divisions is the number of divisions calculated in step S5002. When calculating the maximum x value of the two divided curves, the curve having the maximum x value of the two curves is calculated. The curve having the x value is set as the next division target curve. The same applies to the y value.

When the number of divisions reaches the number of divisions corresponding to the calculated resolution, a plurality of straight lines connecting the start point and the end point are obtained. These straight lines are offset by the line width / 2 in the offset direction defined by the print attribute (step S5).
004). Then, the maximum value and the minimum value of the start point and the end point of the offset straight line obtained in step S5004 are used as the contour information of the Bezier curve (step S5005).

Next, a specific process in step S5002 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 47 is a flowchart illustrating a process for determining the number of divisions of a Bezier curve according to the present embodiment.

Assume that the resolution input in step S5001 is 3000 DPI. If the unit system used inside the system that holds a figure is mm, it is necessary to convert the input resolution into a unit system inside the system. Therefore, first, 3000 DPI is converted to mm as in 3000 DPI = (3000 / 25.4) DPmm (Dots per mm). (Step S7001) Next, the minimum segment length ε is calculated. The value of ε uses the resolution calculated in step S7001.

Ε = 1 / ((3000 / 25.4) / 1) = 0.00847 For example, in the case of 400 DPI, ε = 0.0635 (step S7002).

Next, when a curve is divided by using the DeCasteljau algorithm, assuming that an error between the straight line connecting the curve dividing points and the curve is δ, the relationship between the number of divisions and the error δ is given by the following equation. (G. Wang, The
subdivisional method of finding the intersection
between two Bezier curves or surfaces, TechnicalRe
port, Zhenjian University Journal, 1984).

The control points of the Bezier curve are (xi, yi), (i
= 0, ... n), and L0 = max (| xi-2xi + 1 + xi + 2 |, | yi-2i + 1 + yi + 2 |), the number of divisions r0 is r0 = log4 ((√2n) (n-1) L0 / 8δ).

In this embodiment, the number of divisions is calculated by replacing the minimum segment length ε calculated based on the resolution of the output device with the error δ in the above equation. That is, the division number r0 is calculated by r0 = log4 ((√2n) (n-1) L0 / 8ε).

As described above, the class I, the class II, and the class II in FIG.
The individual processing of the class I, the contour extraction processing of the multi-line in FIG. 45, the detailed processing of the contour extraction of the figure III in FIG. 46, and the division number calculation processing of the Bezier curve according to the resolution of the output device in FIG. 47 will be described. did.

Next, the processing in steps S3005 and S3006 in FIG. 44 will be described. Step S30
In 02 and S3003, the offset figures of the Class I and Class II figures are stored in a storage area such as the read / write storage device 32 or the external storage device 33. In consideration of the offset direction and the line width of the print attribute, these figures are figures corresponding to the outline of the figure and figures corresponding to the connection shape at the connection part of the multi-line figure. Therefore, in step S3005, the maximum (x, y) and minimum (x, y) of a geometrically stored figure may be simply calculated without considering the line width or the print attribute offset direction.

In step S3006, finally, the contour information of the figure in consideration of the printing attribute of the terminal shape of the figure is extracted. For example, a case where the print attributes of the terminal shape are classified as flat, square, and round (see FIG. 62) will be specifically described below.

[0211] 1. No flat cap treatment.

[0212] 2. Square cap FIG. 52 is a view for explaining the extraction processing of the contour shape when the terminal shape is a square cap. If the terminal shape is a square cap, a tangent at the end point of the figure is obtained, and "corners" P1 and P2 of the figure are calculated as shown in FIG. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 52A to 52C, the offset direction specified by the print attribute must be considered. The coordinates of P1 and P2 obtained in this way are
Compared with the contour information already calculated in step S3005 or S3004, P1 or P2 is maximum,
If it exceeds the minimum coordinates, the contour information is updated.

[0213] 3. Round cap FIG. 53 is a view for explaining the extraction processing of the contour shape when the terminal shape is a round. As shown in FIG. 53, the end point of the figure is calculated in consideration of the line width and the print attribute offset direction. For example, as shown in (a), when the offset direction of the line width is on both sides, an imaginary circle having a radius of r = line width / 2 centered on the end point of the line segment is arranged, and Get the contour shape. If the offset direction is outside or inside, as shown in (b) or (c), the end point of the offset line segment obtained at a position where the line segment is moved by the line width / 2 in the normal direction. By arranging an imaginary circle having a radius of r = line width / 2 with respect to, a contour shape at the end is obtained.

The contour information of the virtual circle thus arranged is compared with the contour information already calculated in step S3005 or S3004, and the contour of the virtual circle is determined to be the maximum.
If it exceeds the minimum coordinates, the contour information is updated.

(4) Method of outputting to software or hardware corresponding to a printing device: In the method of (2), the elements are temporarily enlarged and then displayed on the display device 41, whereby the printing device is displayed. Tried to reduce the error caused by the difference between the resolution and the resolution, but by extracting data to software or hardware that achieves the accuracy equivalent to the resolution of the printing device, it was necessary to extract highly accurate contour information. Can also.

The above-mentioned software reads and writes data from and to a two-dimensional array of integers having a size large enough to correspond to the number of dots that can be expressed by a printing device such as the imagesetter 52. Software with functions.

The above hardware means reading and writing data from and to a two-dimensional display data buffer having a size sufficient to correspond to the number of dots that can be expressed by a printing device such as the imagesetter 52. Hardware that has the function of performing

In any of the above software and hardware, a drawing command (in this case,
It is also necessary to have a function of interpreting a PS operator) and developing it into a dot image.

Next, the processing for setting the layout reference rectangle in step S1305 will be described.

First, the layout reference information defined by the layout reference rectangle will be described.

The layout reference information is information that serves as a reference for a position and a size for laying out elements as print data, and it is necessary to hold the information for each element. The reference is called a layout reference position, and the size reference is called a layout reference size.

When a layout reference rectangle is set, one of the feature points of the rectangle can be set as a layout reference point in the layout processing described later. As shown by the mark * in FIG. 20, the rectangular feature points include nine points, namely, the corner points (4 points) of the rectangle, the midpoints (4 points) of each side, and the center point.

The layout reference point can be selected at the time of layout processing without having to determine a specific point in advance. In that case, conversion (parallel movement) for changing the layout reference point of the element occurs.

There are the following methods for setting the layout reference rectangle.

(1) Arbitrary rectangle: The position of any two points on the drawing area 62 is specified by any of the following methods: arbitrary designation, point designation, feature point designation, intersection point designation, and line point designation. Sets a rectangle with the specified two points as diagonal points.

Of these, in a method involving element selection other than arbitrary designation, it is common to select any of the elements for which a layout reference rectangle is to be set, or in this case, any of the grouped elements. However, it is also possible to select other elements.

For the grouped elements, a circle which is one of the constituent elements is selected, and the center point of the circle is designated as a feature point.
FIG. 21 shows an example in which another point is arbitrarily designated to be a layout reference rectangle.

(2) A circumscribed rectangle: The following circumscribed rectangle is calculated.

A circumscribed rectangle of the entire element: A circumscribed rectangle of the entire target element is calculated. In the case of grouped elements, circumscribed rectangles are calculated for all elements constituting the group.

An example in which a circumscribed rectangle is calculated for the grouped elements and is used as a layout reference rectangle has already been shown in FIG.

A circumscribed rectangle of an arbitrary element constituting the element:
In the case of a group graphic having a plurality of elements, an arbitrary element constituting the element can be selected and its circumscribed rectangle can be calculated.

FIG. 22 shows an example in which a circle which is one of the constituent elements is selected for the grouped elements, a circumscribed rectangle of the circle is calculated, and the circumscribed rectangle is set as a layout reference rectangle.

The procedure for grouping the components of a symbol and registering it as a symbol has been described above.

Next, the registered symbol is called, and
Processing for laying out as print data will be described.

(C) Symbol Call and Layout FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for calling a registered symbol and laying it out as print data.

First, a symbol to be laid out is selected (step S2501).

More specifically, the following processing is performed.

First, in order to recall a symbol stored in the external storage device 33 or the like, a button of a command “symbol” among the buttons 65 on the main panel 61 is selected, or the character input area 64 is used. The name of the command “symbol” is input from the keyboard 11.

Then, a symbol layout panel 2601 is displayed on the display device 41 as shown in FIG. Then, the stored symbol name list 260
Of the symbols to be laid out from the mouse 12
To select. Alternatively, in the symbol name input area 2604, the symbol name is directly input to the keyboard 11
You can also enter from. In this case, the selected state of the symbol name list 2602 is determined by the symbol name input area 26.
It changes in conjunction with the input processing at 04.

When the number of stored symbols is large, the return key may be pressed after a part of the symbol name is input from the keyboard 11 in the symbol search condition input area 2603. In this case, since only the symbol names corresponding to the input condition are displayed in the symbol name list 2602, a symbol to be laid out may be selected from the symbol names with the mouse 12.

In addition, when it is desired to select not only the name but also the shape when selecting a symbol, the symbol layout panel 26 may be used as necessary.
By selecting the “list” button of “01”, a symbol shape list panel 27 as shown in FIG.
01 is displayed on the display device 41.

When the symbol shape list covers a plurality of pages, the total number of pages is changed to the symbol shape list panel 2701.
In the page number input area 2702,
The user can directly input a page number on the keyboard 11 or use a previous page button 2703 or a next page button 2704.
By selecting a button, the pages before and after the currently displayed page can be displayed.

Then, from the symbol shape list 2705,
When a symbol to be laid out is selected with the mouse 12, the selection state of the symbol name list 2602 changes in conjunction therewith.

When the contents of the selected symbol are to be checked in detail, the symbol layout panel 260
By selecting the "contents" button of No. 1, a symbol content confirmation panel 28 as shown in FIG.
01 is displayed on the display device 41.

On the symbol content confirmation panel 2801, information such as a layout reference rectangle is displayed at the same time as the symbol shape. In the figure, a rectangle indicated by a dotted line is a layout reference rectangle, and in this case, a circumscribed rectangle of the entire symbol is a layout reference rectangle.

When the symbols to be laid out are determined in this way, a layout reference position is selected next (step S2502).

[0247] The layout reference position is the layout reference position select button 2 on the symbol layout panel 2601.
By selecting one of the buttons from among the buttons 605,
You can choose. The nine reference positions shown in the layout reference position selection button 2605 correspond to the nine feature points of the layout reference rectangle, respectively.

When the layout reference position is selected, the coordinate data of each element constituting the symbol, which is stored in the symbol data file, is expressed in relative coordinates from the selected layout reference position when called into the RAM 32. Is converted to

A layout size and a layout angle are input as information necessary for layout (step S2503).

The layout size designates the size when laying out a symbol. For example, one of the height and the width of the layout reference rectangle may be designated. The procedure is as follows. After selecting either the “height” button or the “width” button of the layout size selection button 2606 on the symbol layout panel 2601, the keyboard 11 is displayed in the layout size input area 2607.
Then, a numerical value of the height or the width may be input.

In the layout size input area 2607,
For example, when a special numerical value such as “0” is input, the symbols can be laid out while keeping the size stored in the symbol data file.

The layout angle specifies the angle at which the symbol is laid out. For example, if the horizontal side (upper side or bottom side) of the layout reference rectangle is specified by the angle formed by the positive direction of the X-axis. Good. The procedure may be performed by inputting a numerical value of the angle from the keyboard 11 into the layout angle input area 2608 of the symbol layout panel 2601.

After all of the above information has been input, when the layout of the symbol is to be executed, the "execute" button on the symbol layout panel 2601 is selected, and when the layout of the symbol is to be stopped, the "cancel" is canceled. "
Select a button.

Next, the layout position of the selected symbol in the drawing area 62 is specified (step S2504).

There are the following methods for designating the layout position of a symbol.

(1) Point layout: An arbitrary position on the drawing area 62 is specified by any of an arbitrary specification, a point specification, a feature point specification, an intersection specification, and a line point specification. In this case, the layout is performed so that the layout reference position of the symbol to be laid out matches the designated position.

(2) Rectangle layout: A rectangle already existing as print data on the drawing area 62 is specified by element selection. In this case, regardless of the layout reference position and the layout angle specified on the symbol layout panel 2601, the upper left point of the layout reference rectangle of the symbol to be laid out matches the upper left point of the specified rectangle.
In addition, the layout is performed so that the layout reference rectangle is located along two sides sandwiching the upper left point of the specified rectangle.

Also, the symbol layout panel 2601
If the layout size is specified by height,
If the width is specified so that the height of the layout reference rectangle matches the height of the specified rectangle, the layout is performed so that the width of the layout reference rectangle matches the width of the specified rectangle. .

When the above operations are completed, the CPU 21 registers the symbol element data called from the external storage device 33 as print data in the RAM 32 (step S2505).

At this time, the data of the circumscribed rectangle of the symbol element obtained in step S1303 is stored as a part of the data of the symbol element (step S250).
6). If the data of the circumscribed rectangle is held as a part of the element data, it is not necessary to extract the contour information again when, for example, the user wants to display the specified element in the entire drawing area 62.

Then, the CPU 21 displays the created symbol element in the drawing area 62 (step S25).
07).

In order to explicitly create the circumscribed rectangle stored in step S2506, the user selects a button of the command “rectangle” for drawing a rectangle among the buttons 65 on the main panel 61, or , Character input area 6
In step 4, after inputting the name of the command "rectangle" from the keyboard 11, the "circumscribed rectangle" menu of the command menu 67 is selected by a button, and then the element for which a circumscribed rectangle is to be created may be selected.

Hereinafter, a specific display example in the case of laying out symbols called by the above method will be described.

In FIG. 27, the circumscribed rectangle of the symbol is set as the layout reference rectangle, the lower left point of the rectangle is selected as the layout reference position, the layout size is specified as 50 mm in height, and the layout angle is specified as 30 degrees. This is an example of a case where the symbols are laid out in dots. Note that FIG.
In this example, the layout reference rectangle is displayed at the same time for the sake of explanation, but only the symbols are actually displayed. Of course, to display the layout reference rectangle at the same time,
The specification can be changed.

FIG. 28 shows an example in which a circumscribed rectangle of a symbol is set as a layout reference rectangle and a rectangular layout is performed. FIG. 28A shows a case where the height is set by the layout size, and FIG. 28B shows a case where the width is set by the layout size. In both figures, a rectangle indicated by a broken line is a rectangle to be laid out,
The rectangle indicated by the solid line is the layout reference rectangle. In FIG. 28, for the sake of explanation, the layout reference rectangle is displayed at the same time, but actually, only the symbols are displayed. Of course, the specification can be changed so that the layout reference rectangle is displayed at the same time.

As described above, the registered symbols are called, and
The procedure for laying out print data has been described.

As described above, the procedure for creating a symbol as shown in FIG. 8 includes (A) laying out a basic figure as print data, (B) grouping elements of a symbol and registering it as a symbol, 3) The description has been made by dividing into three flows of calling up the registered symbols and laying them out as print data.

[Editing of Print Data] Next, based on the user's instruction through input devices such as the keyboard 11 and the mouse 12, the central processing unit CPU
The procedure of processing by 21 will be described. In the present embodiment, an editing process for performing enlargement / reduction will be described.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure of the graphic editing process according to the present embodiment. First, in step S1001, print data to which a print attribute has been added is input as an edit target.

[0270] Next, as described in the description related to the creation of the print data, the enlarged /
The user selects an arbitrary graphic element to be reduced using the keyboard 11, the mouse 12, or the like. Selection methods include the above-mentioned element selection, button selection, optional specification,
Point designation, feature point designation, or the like can be used (step S1002).

Next, the enlargement / reduction size is designated. A panel as shown in FIG. 55 is output to the display device 41, and the size desired by the user is input via the keyboard 11, the mouse 12, and the like. In the panel of FIG. 55, either "designate height" or "designate width" is selected so that the ratio of the height and width of the graphic to be edited is kept constant. The input unit is mm (step S1003).

Next, the outline information of the selected element to be edited is extracted. The outline extraction method is as described above. (1) A method of directly displaying on a display device (2) A method of temporarily enlarging and displaying on a display device (3) A method by a geometric method (4) Corresponding to a printing device A method of outputting to software or hardware is used (step S1004). The contour information once calculated using any of the above methods is stored in the external storage device 33 or the read / write storage device (RAM) 32, so that it is not necessary to calculate the outline information in the second operation.

Next, the enlargement / reduction ratio of the figure is calculated using the central processing unit CPU21. The calculation method is step S10
The enlargement / reduction ratio is calculated using the size designated in the enlargement / reduction size input process of No. 03 and the outline information extracted in step S1004. For example, the contour information of the original figure is 12 mm in height and 15 mm in width, and to enlarge the height of this figure to 100 mm, the enlargement / reduction ratio = 100/12 ≒ 8.333 times (step S1005).

The enlargement / reduction processing is performed by applying the enlargement / reduction ratio calculated in step S1005 to the graphic element selected in step S1002 (step S10).
06). Then, the figure subjected to the scaling process is taken as an example figure (step S1007).

Here, the layout processing for laying out the enlarged / reduced graphic elements will be described. FIGS. 56 to 6
0 is a diagram for explaining the layout processing according to the present embodiment. As a method of designating a layout position, there is a point designation method, and this method is adopted in the present embodiment.
The details will be described below with reference to FIGS.

After selecting a graphic element to be enlarged / reduced, a reference point on the element or in the vicinity of the graphic element is input using the keyboard 11 or the mouse 12. Further, in order to lay out a graphic element, a new reference point as a reference after the enlargement / reduction is input using the keyboard 11 and the mouse 12 in the same manner as the input of the reference point. A vector that translates from the original reference point to the new reference point is calculated, and the graphic element is translated. After this translation, the calculated enlargement / reduction ratio is multiplied.

The following is a specific description of the case of a line segment as an example. Here, the starting point (100,100) and the ending point (150,5
0), the original reference point (50, 50), the new reference point (200, 200), and the scaling ratio 2.5 times. FIG. 56 shows an original line segment (a line segment before enlargement) and an original reference point.

[0278] 1. Parallel movement to the origin First, calculate the vector that moves the original reference point to the origin,
The movement vector is given to the start point and end point of the original line segment.
As a result, the reference point and the line segment move as shown in FIG.

[0279] 2. Enlargement / reduction Next, at the origin, a specified enlargement / reduction ratio is applied. In this example, 2.5 will be multiplied. As a result, the original line segment is enlarged as shown in FIG.

3. Movement to Original Reference Point Inverse conversion of the origin movement performed in 1 above is performed. That is, the reference point at the origin is the position of the original reference point (50,50)
The reference point and the enlarged line segment are translated so as to return to. As a result, the reference point and the line segment move as shown in FIG.

[0281] 4. Next, when a new reference point (200, 200) is specified, a translation vector from the original reference point to the new reference point is calculated, and the line segment is moved using the translation vector. As a result,
As shown in FIG.

Next, a message (for example, FIG. 61) as to whether the graphic to which the print attribute has been laid out as described above, that is, the print data is saved in a file (for example, FIG. 61) is displayed on the display device 41 and saved to the user. Prompt for choice. The user confirms whether to save the print data by using input means such as the keyboard 11 and the mouse 12 (S1008).

If "Save" is selected here,
The print data currently being edited is stored in the external storage device 3
3 or as write data in the read / write storage device 32 (step S1009).

In FIG. 42, the input print data is displayed and a desired graphic is selected. However, the graphic element to be enlarged / reduced is not only selected from the print data currently being edited, It is also possible to input from an external storage device 33, a read-only storage device (ROM) 31, or the like. FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing a process when such a target graphic is selected. In FIG. 43,
Steps S2001, S2005 to S2011 are the same as those in FIG.
This is the same process as Steps S1001, S1003 to S1009 of Step 2.

In step S2002, whether a graphic element to be displayed on the display device 41 is selected from those displayed on the display device or a file stored in the external storage device 33, the read-only storage device (ROM) 31, or the like. The user selects whether to select from the graphic elements within (step S2002). If the selection is from graphic elements in a file on the external storage device 33 or the read-only storage device (ROM) 31, graphic information of the target graphic is extracted from the file (step S2003).

[Printing of Print Data] Next, a procedure for printing the created print data by a printing device such as the laser printer 51 or the imagesetter 52 will be described.

When the print data is used, for example, as a copy, the laser printer 51 proofs the print data (outputs for confirming the print data) and outputs the contents of the print log file. The image setter 52 is used for reprinting the print data (high-precision output that becomes a formal copy).

The information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment has a so-called WYSIWYG function of controlling display of graphic data and character data on the display device 41 in the same display form as the output form at the time of printing. are doing.

However, even if the display device 41 has the WYSIWYG function, the display device 41 has only a resolution of about 100 DPI. The print data must be printed on a laser printer 51, which has a much higher resolution than 41.

Of course, it is possible to print the print data directly by the imagesetter 52 and confirm these, but the imagesetter 52 has a resolution of 30.
Since it is extremely high at about 00 DPI, dedicated paper must be used. Further, printing costs are high and output speed is slow. Even in such a case, print the print data with the laser printer 51 in advance,
It is common to check the output format.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for printing the created print data by a printing device such as a laser printer 51 or an imagesetter 52.

First, a print command is selected (step S5201). Specifically, the following processing is performed.

First, a button of the command “print” among the buttons 65 on the main panel 61 is selected, or the name of the command “print” is input from the keyboard 11 in the character input area 64. .

[0294] Then, a command menu 67 is displayed on the display device 41. The items of the command menu 67 include (1) proof printing, (2) partial proof printing, and (3) reprinting. When the user selects one of the menu items with a button, the print data printing process is started.

[0295] First, the case where the button of the "proof print" menu is selected in step S5201 will be described below.

If the “proof print” menu is selected by a button, the CPU 21 selects the laser printer 51 as a printing device (step S5211).

[0297] Then, assuming that the proof print has been selected, the display device 41 displays a proof print output condition setting panel 5301 as shown in FIG. The proof print output condition setting panel 5301 sets the following conditions. (1) Magnification (2) Number of copies (3) Paper size (4) Paper direction First, the magnification input area 53 indicates how many times the actual size should be output.
02, a numerical value is input with the keyboard 11 (step S
5212).

Next, the number of copies of the same print data to be output in one print process is input to the copy number input area 5303 by inputting a numerical value using the keyboard 11 (step S5213).

Next, one paper size button for printing the print data is selected with the paper size selection button 5304 (step S5214). The type of paper size that can be selected here conforms to the specifications of the laser printer 51 that outputs.

Next, a paper direction selection button 5305 is used to change the paper direction of the paper on which the print data is to be printed to the vertical (the Y direction is longer).
/ Horizontal (long in X direction) / Auto (minimize number of pages)
Button is selected from any of the above (step S
5215).

After setting the output conditions for proof printing,
The output condition is determined by selecting the “execute” button.

Next, an element to be actually output in the print data is determined based on the following conditions (step S5216).

(1) Layer: A layer is a virtual hierarchy of print data to which each element belongs, and can be identified on display by the color of the element and the like. Depending on the layer, there are layers that are always output targets, layers that are not always output targets, and layers that allow the user to select whether or not to output.

(2) Display attribute: This is a condition that elements and layers set in the non-display state are not output. Users can set this condition for each element or layer.

(3) Element type: An element type that is always output target (such as a register mark), an element type that is not always output target (such as a point), and an element type that allows the user to select whether or not to output. Other element types).

Next, the CPU 21 calculates a circumscribed rectangle of the elements with the magnification set in step S5212 multiplied for all elements to be actually output (step S5217).

At that time, the circumscribed rectangle of the element is already
Calculated by U21 and as part of the element data,
In the case where the information is stored in the RAM 32, it is only necessary to multiply the stored information of the circumscribed rectangle by a magnification.

Further, the CPU 21 determines in step S5214
An effective output area is calculated from the paper size set in step S5218, excluding print margins in the up, down, left, and right directions in which print data is not output (step S5218).

Here, as information on the paper size and information on the size of the paper margin, those stored in the external storage device 33 or the like in advance are read into the RAM 32 for use.

Next, from the circumscribed rectangle calculated in step S5217 and the information on the effective output area calculated in step S5218, the CPU 21 determines the output range and position when the print data is output on paper (step S521).
9).

[0311] If the print data can be output on one sheet of paper, the CPU 21 determines the output position so that the print data is output at the center of the paper. Here, it is also possible to output the print data to positions such as lower left, upper left, lower right, upper right, etc. of the paper.

[0312] If the print data cannot be output on one sheet of paper, the CPU 21 divides the print data into a plurality of sheets of paper and outputs it. As described above, when the print data is divided into a plurality of sheets and output, a part of the print data is overlapped so that the print data at the boundary portion is completely output, and both of the divided sheets are output. Can also be output.

If the paper direction is selected as "automatic" in step S5215, one of the vertical and horizontal directions is set to C so that the number of pages of the printing paper is minimized.
After being selected by the PU 21, the output range and position are determined.

Then, the CPU 21 displays the output range in the drawing area 62 so that the user can confirm the output range before actually outputting to paper (step S522).
0).

FIG. 31 shows an example in which the output range is confirmed and displayed. The rectangle shown by the thin line in the figure is the output range. This is an example of a case where print data can be output on one sheet of paper, and a case where portrait is selected as the paper direction.

FIG. 32 shows another example in which the output range is confirmed and displayed. Unlike FIG. 31, this is an example of a case where print data cannot be output on one sheet of paper and is output on four sheets of paper, and the landscape is selected as the paper direction. is there.

Here, an output range confirmation panel 5601 as shown in FIG. 33 is displayed. So, the user
By checking the output range displayed in step S5220, it is determined whether the print data is actually output on paper. If the user determines that the output range is appropriate, the user selects the “Execute” button on the output range confirmation panel 5601 and, if the user determines that the output range is not appropriate, the output range confirmation panel 5601. In step S522, the user selects the "cancel" button.
1).

If the “execute” button is selected, the print data, print data name, output date and time, number of output pages, etc., which are print additional information added at the time of output, in addition to the print data. Is added (step S522).
2).

[0319] Of these additional print information, the print data name is the information set in advance by the user.
It is read from the RAM 32. The output date and time and the number of output pages are set by the CPU 21 at the time of output.

The information, such as the position on a sheet and the print attribute of characters, to which the additional print information is output, is stored in advance in the external storage device 33 or the like, and is stored in the RAM 32.
Read and use it.

Then, the print additional information and the print data are actually output from the laser printer 51 to paper, and so-called proof print output is executed (step S5).
223).

On the other hand, if the “cancel” button is selected in step S5221, print data is not output, and the proof print output condition setting panel 53 is output.
Since 01 is displayed again, the process returns to step S5212, and the user may set output conditions such as the magnification again.

Next, the case where the “partial proof” menu button is selected in step S5201 will be described. "Partial proof" menu,
When the button is selected, the laser printer 51 is selected as the printing device by the CPU 21 (step S).
5231).

[0324] As described above, when the partial proof printing is selected, an instruction for asking the user to select an element to be output is displayed in the guidance area 68. Select an element according to. The element selection method may be any one of continuous element selection, rectangular area designation, and arbitrary area designation as in the case of grouping elements described above (step S523).
2).

When the selection of the elements is completed, a proof print output condition setting panel 5301 is displayed on the display device 41 as shown in FIG.

The following steps S5212 to S52
The processing up to 5223 is the same as in the case of proof printing, and a description thereof will be omitted.

[0327] Next, the case where the button of the "reprint" menu is selected in step S5201 will be described.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure for reprinting and outputting print data.

First, when the button of the “reprint” menu is selected, the CPU 21 selects the imagesetter 52 as a printing device (step S571).
1).

Then, assuming that reprinting has been selected,
The display device 41 displays a reprinting output condition setting panel 5801 as shown in FIG. On the reprint output condition setting panel 5801, the following conditions are set. (1) Magnification (2) Number of copies (3) Label (4) Drawing frame First, how many times the actual size should be output is specified in the magnification input area 58.
02 in the keyboard 11 (step S5).
712).

Next, the number of copies of the same print data to be output in one print process is input to the copy number input area 5803 with a numerical value by the keyboard 11 (step S 5713).

Next, a button is selected by a label output selection button 5804 as to whether or not to output a standard label to be attached to the print data together with the print data (step S5714). This label will include the composition name, part number,
Part name, creator name and date, approver name and date,
Information such as scale, correction history, etc. is output.

Next, whether or not the drawing frame is output together with the print data is selected by a drawing frame output selection button 5805 (step S5715). The drawing frame is a rectangle indicating the range of the output print data as a drawing, and is usually a rectangle which is offset inward from the end of the paper size by a certain length.

After setting the output conditions for the reprint, the output condition is determined by selecting the "execute" button.

Next, the output target element is determined (step S
5716), and calculate a circumscribed rectangle of the output target element (step S5717). These processes are performed in steps S5216 and S5217 for proof printing.
Is the same as

Next, from the information of the circumscribed rectangle calculated in step S5717, the CPU 21 determines the paper size (the minimum An size capable of outputting all print data) and the paper direction (step S5718).

In the case of the reprint output, it is better to reduce the number of print sheets in terms of cost, speed, etc.
Since it is efficient, if possible, a plurality of print data
It is designed to output on a sheet of printing paper. The printing paper here refers to the paper actually used by the imagesetter 52, and is different from the paper size. What is paper size?
This is the size of the area required to output single print data.

Next, the CPU 21 determines an output position so that the print data is output to the center of the paper (step S5719). Here, it is also possible to output the print data to positions such as lower left, upper left, lower right, upper right, etc. of the paper.

Then, before actually outputting to paper, the CPU 21 checks the output range so that the user can confirm the output range.
The output range is displayed in the drawing area 62 (step S57)
20).

Here, an output range confirmation panel 5601 as shown in FIG. 33 is displayed. So, the user
By checking the output range displayed in step S5720, it is determined whether the print data is actually output on paper. If the user determines that the output range is appropriate, the user selects the “Execute” button on the output range confirmation panel 5601 and, if the user determines that the output range is not appropriate, the output range confirmation panel 5601. , The “cancel” button is selected (step S572)
1).

If the “execute” button is selected, the process proceeds to the next step. On the other hand, when the “cancel” button is selected, the print data is not output, the reprint output condition setting panel 5801 is displayed again, and the process returns to step S5212.
The output conditions such as the magnification can be set again.

Next, if the “label” item is selected as “present” in step S 5714, the CPU 21
Creates label data (step S5722).

FIG. 36 shows an example of a reprint label.
This is an example of a label attached to a photoengraving block.
The items of the label include a composition number, a part number, a short form, an approver name, a verifier name, a creator name, a product symbol, a date, a scale, a correction history, and the like.

The information of the fixed portion such as the frame of the label and the title character is stored in advance in the external storage device 33 or the like and is read into the RAM 32 for use.
When the print data is stored in a file, the contents of each item of the label are input on a file storage panel 6001 as shown in FIG. 37 and are stored in the external storage device 33 or the like. , Read into the RAM 32 and used.

The information of the creator name and the approver name is not input by the user from the panel, but the CPU 21
The current user name may be recognized and set. The date information may also be set by the CPU 21 to set the current date.

The label is output at a predetermined position such as the lower right of the paper size in a predetermined size. In addition, regarding the position of the label,
It is also possible to make it possible to select from such positions or to specify an arbitrary position.

[0347] Also, several types of label forms are prepared according to the use, and are stored in the external storage device 33 or the like. When the label output is designated as "yes" in step S5714, the label form is stored. May be selected.

Next, when the item “drawing frame” is selected as “present” in step S5715, the CPU 21
Drawing frame data is created (step S5723).

FIG. 38 shows the relationship between the drawing frame and the paper size. In FIG. 38, the label is set at the lower right of the drawing frame.

The line width of the drawing frame and the output position and size information for each paper size are read from the external storage device 33 or the like in advance and read into the RAM 32 for use. The CPU 21 determines the output position and the size of the drawing frame according to the paper size determined in step S5718.

By the above processing, data for printing and outputting a single print data is created. Since a plurality of print data can be specified when actually performing the reprint output, if the next print data is to be continuously reprint output, a step of setting output conditions (step S5)
712) to the step of creating drawing frame data (step S5723) are repeated (step S5).
724).

When the designation of the plurality of print data is completed, the CPU 21 next determines how to arrange the plurality of print data on the printing paper (step S572).
5). The optimal arrangement when outputting to the image setter 52 is to arrange each print data so that the number of print sheets is minimized. This print data optimal arrangement processing will be described later in detail.

Next, a print log file of the reprint output is created (step S5726). The following information is described in the print log file, and the output contents of the composition output from the imagesetter 52 can be understood.
FIG. 41 shows an output example of a print log file.

(1) Output time, output person, number of pages: The date and time when print data was actually output, the name of the output person, the number of pages, etc. are described.

(2) Printing paper layout diagram: A schematic diagram of how each print data is arranged on the printing paper is created. A symbol is attached to the layout drawing so that the layout of each print data can be understood.

(3) List of output data: symbols shown in layout drawing, information of output conditions (paper size, paper direction, etc.),
Label information (article name, part number, part name, creator name and date, approver name and date, scale, etc.)
Describe in list format.

As described above, since all the data for the reprint output has been created, the CPU 21 prints the print data by the imagesetter 52 (step S5727). Further, the print log file data is stored in the laser printer 51.
(Step S5728).

Next, the process of optimally arranging print data in step S5725 will be described in detail. Here, it is assumed that the print paper size is Am size and the paper size of each print data is An size (m> = n).

FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing a process for optimally arranging print data.

First, the size of the printing paper is specified (step S6201). If the print paper size to be used is determined in advance, this step can be omitted.

Next, the print data to be output is rearranged in descending order of paper size (step S6202). Any order may be applied between print data of the same size.

The CPU 21 determines whether there is print data to be output (step S620).
3). If there is print data to be output, the process advances to step S6204. If there is no print data to be output, the processing for optimally arranging print data is terminated.

Next, it is determined whether the print data to be output can be arranged on the current print sheet (step S6).
204). If it can be placed on the current printing paper,
Proceed to the next step S6206. If the print paper cannot be arranged, the arrangement on the current print paper is finished, the current print paper is set by paying attention to the next print paper (step S6205), and the print paper can be arranged again on the current print paper. Is determined.

Next, it is determined whether the direction of the print data to be output needs to be changed (step S620).
6). If the direction needs to be changed, the print data to be output is all rotated by 90 degrees to change the direction (step S6207). If it is not necessary to change the direction, the process proceeds to the next step S6208.

Then, the print data to be output is arranged on the current print paper (step S6208).

[0366] The processing for arranging a single piece of print data on printing paper is thus completed. Until all of the plurality of print data are arranged on the print paper, the steps from the step of determining the presence or absence of print data to be output (step S6203) to the step of arranging the print data to be output on the print paper (step S6208) are repeated.

For example, suppose that the print paper size is A1, and that one print data of A2 (named A21)
3 is 3 sheets (A31, A32, A33) and A4 is 3 sheets (A
41, A42, A43), the print data is A21, A31, A32, A33, A41, A4
2, A43, and so on.

FIG. 40 shows an example of the result of optimally arranging the print data A21 to A43 on A1 size printing paper.

In the example of FIG. 40, A21, A31, A
Up to 32, can be placed on the first printing paper,
In the next A33, the current print paper is moved to the second print paper because it cannot be placed on the first print paper.
Can be arranged on the second printing paper.

In the example of FIG. 40, for example, A2
When the paper direction of A1 is vertical, the area used when laying out A21 on the printing paper is the horizontal direction.
Must be rotated 90 degrees to change the direction.

The procedure for printing the created print data with a printing device such as the laser printer 51 or the imagesetter 52 has been described.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, a graphic to which a print attribute is added is input, a graphic to be enlarged / reduced and its enlarged / reduced size are designated, and a contour in consideration of the print attribute is specified. It is possible to extract information, calculate the enlargement / reduction ratio of the figure based on the enlargement / reduction size, and lay out the figure at a position designated by the user. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to create and edit a figure in consideration of information such as a line width, a terminal shape, a connection shape, and an offset direction when creating a figure. Further, since there is no need to create an outline figure, there is an effect that precise figure editing can be performed without lowering the work efficiency of the user. Further, there is an effect that a graphic element such as a free curve or an ellipse can be accurately edited to a size intended by the user. Furthermore, by referring to the resolution of the output device and enlarging / reducing the figure, it is possible to eliminate the error between the accuracy of the output device and the accuracy of the computer.
There is an effect that reduction processing can be performed.

[Other Embodiments] FIG. 46 shows the specific processing of the outline information calculation processing (step S3004) using the division processing as the processing for the type III graphic in the outline extraction procedure shown in FIG. Is shown. Here, step S
In 5001, the resolution of the output device is input, but the output device can be selected instead of directly inputting the resolution. Specifically, for example,
A panel (window) as shown in FIG. 54 is displayed on the display device 41, and an output device to be output is selected using input means such as the keyboard 11 and the mouse 12. External storage device 33 or read-only storage device (ROM) in advance
If the resolution information corresponding to each output device is stored in 31 or the like, the resolution information can be referred to. It is also possible to refer to the resolution information of the output device connected to the network each time.

The processing (magnification / reduction) procedure for a figure has been described with reference to FIG. In step S1003 of this processing, the input of the height or the width is specified when specifying the enlargement / reduction size. However, the height and the width can be specified independently and simultaneously. In this case, the magnification in the x direction (width) and the magnification in the y direction (height) are independently calculated, and x
It is necessary to scale independently in the direction (width) and y direction (height). Further, although the input unit is set to mm in the enlargement / reduction size designation, it is apparent that the input unit can be set to various units such as inches, feet, and meters.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.) or may be applied to an apparatus composed of one device.

Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus.
And MPU) read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As storage media for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into the memory provided on the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0381]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to change the size of a graphic with respect to print data with high precision without lowering the work efficiency of the user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating functions of WYSIWYG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a main panel of a program according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing characteristic points of each element.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of specifying a position by specifying an intersection;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of specifying a position by specifying a point on a line.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a print data file.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a symbol.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for laying out a basic graphic as print data.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a print attribute is added to graphic data.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a graphic data print attribute editing panel.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a line pitch editing panel (an example of a two-dot chain line).

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for grouping elements and registering symbols.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state where a target element is selected by specifying a rectangular area.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a target element is selected by specifying an arbitrary area.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a result of extracting outline information of a symbol.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating quantization of coordinate data.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for temporarily enlarging and displaying an element to extract outline information.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing grouped elements and their circumscribed rectangles.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing rectangular feature points.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example in which an arbitrary rectangle is set as a layout reference rectangle of a group graphic.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a circumscribed rectangle of a component is set as a layout reference rectangle of a group graphic.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for calling and laying out symbols.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a symbol layout panel.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a symbol shape list panel.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a symbol content confirmation panel.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of a point layout of symbols.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of a rectangular layout of symbols.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for outputting print data.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a proof print output condition setting panel.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating an example in which an output range is confirmed and displayed (when output can be performed on one sheet of paper).

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an example in which an output range is confirmed and displayed (when output cannot be performed on one sheet of paper).

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an output range confirmation panel.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for printing and outputting print data.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a reprint output condition setting panel.

FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reprint label.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing a file storage panel.

FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a drawing frame and a paper size.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for optimally arranging print data.

FIG. 40 is a diagram illustrating an example of a result of optimally arranging print data.

FIG. 41 is a diagram illustrating an output example of a print log file.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing an operation control procedure of the present embodiment.

FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing an operation control procedure of the present embodiment.

FIG. 44 is a flowchart illustrating a contour extraction procedure according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 45 is a flowchart 4 illustrating a multi-line contour extraction procedure according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing a contour extraction procedure for a class III graphic according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing a procedure for calculating the number of divisions of a Bezier curve according to the resolution of the output device of the present embodiment.

FIG. 48 is a diagram illustrating how a Bezier curve is divided using the De Casteljau algorithm.

FIG. 49 is a diagram illustrating a line segment (creation of an offset line segment) in consideration of a print attribute.

FIG. 50 is a diagram illustrating creation of a virtual circle in a connected shape round;

FIG. 51 is a diagram illustrating a resolution input screen (window) of the output device.

FIG. 52 is a diagram showing a terminal shape square cap process.

FIG. 53 is a diagram showing a terminal shape round cap process.

FIG. 54 is a diagram showing an output device input screen (window).

FIG. 55 is a diagram illustrating an enlarged / reduced size input screen (window).

FIG. 56 is a diagram illustrating a line segment enlargement process according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 57 is a diagram illustrating a line segment enlarging process according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 58 is a diagram illustrating a line segment enlargement process according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 59 is a diagram illustrating a line segment enlargement process according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 60 is a diagram illustrating a line segment enlargement process according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 61 is a diagram illustrating a print data saving confirmation (window).

FIG. 62 is a diagram illustrating types of terminal shapes.

FIG. 63 is a diagram illustrating types of connection shapes.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Jun Mizugami 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term (reference) in Canon Inc. 5B057 AA13 BA23 BA24 BA26 CA12 CA16 CB12 CB16 CD02 CD05 CE09 CE15 DA16 DB02 DC03 DC05 DC07 DC16 DC36 5C073 AA06 AB02 AB05 AB15 CE04 5C076 AA02 AA14 AA17 AA18 AA19 AA21 AA22 AA36 CA02 CA12 CB02 CB04

Claims (37)

[Claims] 1. A storage unit for storing graphic data to which a print attribute is added, and contour information for extracting contour information of the graphic data based on the print attribute added to the graphic data stored in the storage unit. A graphic processing apparatus comprising: an extracting unit; and a scaling unit that executes a scaling process on the graphic based on the outline information extracted by the outline information extracting unit. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a scaling designating means for designating an enlarged or reduced size, wherein said scaling means designates a size obtained from the contour information extracted by said contour information extracting means, and designates said size by said scaling designating means. 2. The graphic processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a scaling factor is calculated based on the scaled-up or reduced size, and a scaling process is performed based on the scaling factor. 3. The graphic processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a graphic designating means for designating a target graphic to be processed by said outline information extracting means and said scaling means. 4. The graphic processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising layout means for arranging the graphic scaled by said scaling means at a position designated by a user. 5. A storage instructing means for instructing whether or not the graphic data scaled by the scaling means is to be stored; and a case in which the storage instructing means instructs to store the scaled graphic data. 2. The graphic processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising storage means for storing the scaled graphic data in a storage medium as a file. 6. The graphic processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said graphic designating means specifies a desired graphic as a target graphic from graphics displayed on a display device. 7. The graphic processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said graphic designating means specifies a target graphic by specifying a file from a storage device storing graphic data as a file. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the contour information extracting means includes a first classification including a normal graphic such as a single line segment or a circle, and a second classification including a multi-line graphic including a plurality of lines, based on the print information. Classifying means for classifying the target graphic into one of a third classification in which the graphic created by the offset includes a graphic different from the type of the original graphic; and 2. The graphic processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising extraction means for performing extraction. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the extracting unit obtains an offset direction from print information added to the graphic and performs an offset process when the graphic for which contour information is to be extracted is classified into the first classification. 9. The graphic processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a contour of the graphic is extracted. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the figure to be subjected to the contour information extraction is classified into the second classification, adjacent lines are connected with a miter shape, and the angle of the connecting portion is a predetermined angle. Determining that the adjacent line has a miter shape, and determining that the angle is larger than the predetermined angle by the determining unit. 9. The graphic processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein when the processing is performed, a contour is extracted by using a connection shape of the graphic subjected to the offset processing of the adjacent line as a bevel. 11. The extracting means, wherein the judging means connects adjacent lines having a miter shape in the figure from which the contour information is to be extracted, and the angle of the connecting portion is less than or equal to the predetermined angle. 11. The graphic processing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising means for shortening, at the intersection, two intersecting lines of the offset graphic of the adjacent line when it is determined that there is an offset graphic. 12. The method according to claim 12, wherein the extracting unit determines that adjacent lines do not have a miter shape in the graphic from which the contour information is to be extracted. The presence or absence of an intersection on the offset line segment obtained from the minute, and the intersection determination means, When it is determined that there is no intersection in the intersection determination means,
Means for extending the two unconnected offset lines until they intersect, and when the intersection determining means determines that there is an intersection,
2. A means for removing a portion located on the tip side from the position where the offset line segment intersects.
0. The graphic processing device according to 0. 13. The method according to claim 13, wherein: when the graphic to be subjected to the contour information extraction is classified into the third classification, the extracting means divides the graphic into a plurality of segments; The figure processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: a calculating unit that performs an offset process on the image data and calculates outline information. 14. The dividing means, comprising: a calculating means for calculating the number of divisions according to the resolution of the output device; and a recursive dividing means for recursively dividing the figure based on the number of divisions calculated by the calculating means. 14. An approximate straight line obtained after dividing the figure by the recursive dividing means is set as a segment.
The graphic processing device according to 1. 15. The graphic processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said recursive division means performs recursive division of said graphic using a DeCasteljau algorithm when said graphic is a Bezier curve. 16. The calculation means calculates a minimum division line length ε based on the resolution of the output device, and calculates n control points of the Bezier curve as (xi, yi) (where i
= 0 to n), L0 = max (| xi-2xi + 1 + xi + 2 |, | yi-2yi + 1 + yi + 2 |) r0 = log4 ((√2n) (n-1 16. The graphic processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein) L0) / 8ε) is calculated, and r0 is obtained as the number of divisions. 17. The method according to claim 17, wherein the extraction unit includes a connection shape determination unit that determines whether a connection shape of the graphic to be processed is a round. 9. The graphic processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a circle having a radius of 1/2 of a line width centered on the coordinates of the coordinate is set as the contour shape. 18. A terminal part contour shape determining means for specifying a terminal shape of the graphic to be processed and determining a contour shape of a terminal part of the graphic to be processed based on the specified terminal shape. The graphic processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: 19. A storage step of storing graphic data to which a print attribute has been added in a storage means, and extracting contour information of the graphic data based on the print attribute added to the graphic data stored in the storage means. A contour information extracting step of: performing a scaling process on the figure based on the contour information extracted by the contour information extracting step. 20. A magnification change designation step for designating an enlarged or reduced size, wherein the magnification change step specifies a size obtained from the contour information extracted in the contour information extraction step, and a size specified in the magnification change step. 20. The graphic processing method according to claim 19, wherein a scaling factor is calculated based on the scaled-up or reduced size, and a scaling process is performed based on the scaling factor. 21. The graphic processing method according to claim 19, further comprising a graphic designating step of designating a target graphic to be processed in said outline information extracting step and said scaling step. 22. The graphic processing method according to claim 19, further comprising a layout step of arranging the graphic scaled in the scaling step at a position designated by a user. 23. A storage instructing step for instructing whether or not to save the graphic data scaled in the scaling step, and a step for instructing to save the scaled graphic data in the previous saving instruction step. 20. The graphic processing method according to claim 19, further comprising: storing the scaled graphic data as a file in a storage medium. 24. The graphic processing method according to claim 21, wherein in the graphic designating step, a desired graphic is specified as a target graphic from graphics displayed on a display device. 25. The graphic processing method according to claim 21, wherein in the graphic designating step, a target graphic is specified by specifying a file from a storage device storing graphic data as a file. 26. The method according to claim 26, wherein the contour information extracting step includes, based on print information, a first classification including a normal graphic such as a single line segment or a circle, and a second classification including a multi-line graphic including a plurality of lines. A classification step of classifying the target graphic into one of a third classification in which the graphic created by the offset includes a graphic different from the type of the original graphic, and a step of classifying the contour information according to each classification in the classification step. 20. The graphic processing method according to claim 19, further comprising an extraction step of performing extraction. 27. The method according to claim 27, wherein, when the graphic to be subjected to contour information extraction is classified into the first classification, an offset direction is obtained from print information added to the graphic to perform an offset process. 22. The graphic processing method according to claim 21, wherein a contour of the graphic is extracted. 28. The method according to claim 28, wherein, when the figure to be subjected to the contour information extraction is classified into the second classification, adjacent lines are connected with a miter shape, and the angle of the connecting portion is a predetermined angle. A determining step of determining whether the adjacent line has a miter shape and determining that the angle is greater than the predetermined angle by the determining step. 27. The graphic processing method according to claim 26, wherein, when the processing is performed, a contour is extracted using the connection shape of the graphic subjected to the offset processing of the adjacent line as a bevel. 29. In the extracting step, in the figure to be subjected to the contour information extraction, adjacent lines having a miter shape are connected by the determining step, and an angle of the connecting portion is smaller than or equal to the predetermined angle. 29. The graphic processing method according to claim 28, further comprising a step of shortening, at an intersection, two intersecting lines of the offset graphic of the adjacent lines when it is determined that there is an adjacent graphic. 30. In the extracting step, when it is determined in the determining step that adjacent lines do not have a miter shape in the graphic from which the contour information is to be extracted, two adjacent lines of the offset graphic are determined. The presence or absence of an intersection on the offset line segment obtained from the minute, the intersection determination step, When it is determined that there is no intersection in the intersection determination step,
Extending two unconnected offset line segments until they intersect, and if it is determined that there is an intersection in the intersection determination step,
3. A step of removing a portion located on the tip side from a position where the offset line segment intersects.
8. The graphic processing method according to item 8. 31. The extracting step, wherein, when a figure to be subjected to contour information extraction is classified into the third classification, a dividing step of dividing the figure into a plurality of segments; 27. The graphic processing method according to claim 26, further comprising: calculating an outline information by performing an offset process on the image data. 32. The dividing step includes: a calculating step of calculating a number of divisions according to a resolution of an output device; and a recursive dividing step of recursively dividing the figure based on the number of divisions calculated in the calculating step. 32. An approximate straight line obtained after dividing the figure in the recursive division step is set as a segment.
The graphic processing method described in 1. 33. The graphic processing method according to claim 32, wherein in the recursive division step, when the graphic is a Bezier curve, the graphic is recursively divided using a DeCasteljau algorithm. 34. The calculating step calculates a minimum division line length ε based on the resolution of the output device, and calculates n control points of the Bezier curve as (xi, yi) (where i
= 0 to n), L0 = max (| xi-2xi + 1 + xi + 2 |, | yi-2yi + 1 + yi + 2 |) r0 = log4 ((√2n) (n-1 34. The graphic processing method according to claim 33, wherein r) is calculated as the number of divisions by calculating) L0) / 8ε). 35. The extraction step includes a connection shape determination step of determining whether the connection shape of the graphic to be processed is a round. If the connection shape determination step determines that the connection shape is a round, each joint portion of the offset graphic 27. The graphic processing method according to claim 26, wherein a circle having a radius of 1/2 of a line width centered on the coordinates of the coordinate is set as the contour shape. 36. The extraction step, wherein a terminal shape of the graphic to be processed is specified, and a contour shape of a terminal end of the graphic to be processed is determined based on the specified terminal shape. The graphic processing method according to claim 26, further comprising: 37. A storage medium storing a control program for causing a computer to execute graphic processing, the control program comprising: a code for a storage step of storing graphic data to which a print attribute is added in storage means; Based on a code of an outline information extracting step of extracting outline information of the graphic data based on a print attribute added to the graphic data stored in the storage unit, and based on the outline information extracted in the outline information extracting step. And a code for a scaling process for performing scaling processing of the figure.